Understanding land use impacts of croplands on biodiversity through UNEP’s Global Guidance for Life Cycle Impact Assessment

Abstract

In a global retrospective assessment, this study quantifies the potential impacts of croplands on biodiversity using the UNEP-Life Cycle Initiative’s recommended method for land use that was proposed by the GLAM consensus working group for Global Guidance for Life Cycle Impact Assessment Indicators and Methods. The findings show the importance of using tools that account for both occupied area and the potential impact of each specific location. Approximately 20 countries account for 75 % of the potential land-use impact on biodiversity. While countries with large areas occupied by cropland contributed most to the overall impact, some countries with relatively low contributions to the area occupied contributed disproportionately. The study explores critical methodological considerations, such as the risk of double-counting impact drivers when using endpoint indicators, the need for more precise land-use intensity classifications, and the current limitations of characterization factors in guiding biodiversity impact mitigation strategies.